When pedestrians give your 911 a "shout out", how do you respond

[sugarwood]

I was stopped at an intersection, and a group of teenagers walking by each gave a gesture indicating they were fans of the 911. Like pointing with a head nod, saying something inaudible, fist pumping & nods of approval, etc.

It's not like this is a Ferarri, but everyone assumes anyone driving an exotic car is a d-bag. Not wanting to come off like that, I had to acknowledge them. So, I did this.



LOL, that's all that came to me. As I drove off, I realized how stupid that must have looked.

[rusnak]

I try not to make a ***** eating grin myself and wave back, probably looking like a dork.

[gtc]

People are strange.

I pulled up to a Starbucks last week, and a lady sitting in the car next to me says:
"Hey, cute car!"
(pause)
"How much gas can it hold?"
She was apparently dumbfounded by it's 21 gallon capacity, so I left her to ponder that and went inside for an Americano.

[Cajundaddy]

Driving home yesterday a little kid maybe 3-4 is in the crosswalk with his dad. When I pull up the brakes squeak and the kid stops in his tracks and points "Papa that car is a nice one!"

[LEAKYSEALS951]

One of the coolest things I have seen is the interest of the younger generation in 911's.
I mean YOUNG kids- for example- as young as my kid's daycare center age. Let's get something straight- I drive the car because I appreciate it- and really don't want ANY attention (I like to pick my nose in privacy thankyou)- let alone from children- but their responses encourage me because they never grew up watching "risky business" or had any maxell cassette tape ads on their dorm room walls. These kids haven't even seen the 996 in the movie "cars". They are too young to know about the brand or the connotations (good or bad) that go with it. Heck, they don't even know what money is.
Yet....
These kids intuitively pick out the 911 as something special and rave about it. No one taught them this. No one showed them this on a smart phone app. They picked up on it and figured it out for themselves! Good for them! - and I just smile like borat because they really get it~ Hopefully one day the car will be theirs!

[chrismorse]

A lot of folks, especially young guys appreciate some of the older cars. I haven't had more than one or two snide comments about my cars in 50 years, mostly it is just enthusiasm.

I get a lot of smiles and thumbs up driving the old 74 911, Dad had it repainted sepia and had the wheels refinished and it still looks sharp.

One time while driving my 308, I had about 3-4 teen age guys just go ape ****, in front of me, hanging out of their car waving and pointing - I just had to smile and give it a little gas while passing them :-)

I hate to blow a stereotype, but the 308 is not a ******* magnet, I had one Huge indian gal ask me if it was a new mustang, (the horsey) and the only other gal that ever approached me was a hooker asking me if I just sat in the car, (actually, I was waiting for my wife), Now, if I was gay, there are tons of young guys and guys in general, at gas stations, that come over to the car, alas, I don't roll like that.

A friendly smile and a wave for the folks that got a charge out of seeing your nice car.

chris

[Christien]

Wow, that 308 in green looks amazing! I've never seen one in that colour! One of my bucket-list cars. Actually, the top of that list!

On our road trip last week to new Orleans, we got tons of waves, thumbs-ups, honks etc from other drivers. Just a big smile and a wave back.

I'm still waiting for the day the current version of me gets entranced and works up the courage to ask for a ride (with parents' permission, of course).

[wildthing]

I just smile and wave in acknowledgement.

[kach22i]

A guy on his motorcycle yelled over to me at the stop light "Love the open top Targa".

I gave him a big nod and approval of his BMW bike.

Then that awkward silence before the light changed.

[masraum]

In response to the OP, I usually smile and wave or if they say something and the window is down I'll smile, wave and say "thank you".

Originally Posted by LEAKYSEALS951

One of the coolest things I have seen is the interest of the younger generation in 911's.
I mean YOUNG kids- for example- as young as my kid's daycare center age.

When I used to have my old '88 targa, I used to see young kids checking out the car fairly often. School buses usually had several faces glued to the window or similar reactions when I'd drive past and they were outside or in a parking lot. I also got some, though not as much, similar reaction to the miata. I also get it some in the boxster, but I really haven't had it that long or been in places with many kids in the boxster to really know for sure. Besides, the part of town that I live in now is full of Porsches.

[72doug2,2S]

Agreed the 308 is beautiful to look at, but at the end of the day I get more enjoyment out of driving my 72 911. The 308 clutch is a workout and visibility is not great.

Much like a high school beauty queen, I still want a 308. Nice color!

[M.D. Holloway]

yet to find anyone who doesn't like the midyears Targa...

[fanaudical]

I usually just wave back and say "Thank you" when I get a "cool car!" comment.

[Bill Douglas]

One evening there were two, aged about 14 years old, girls at a bus stop and one saw the 911 coming and she tapped the other on the shoulder and pointed towards the car. They started doing exaggerated 60's style dancing, and when I looked back they were doubled up laughing. I'm not sure what all that was about but they sure were cute.

[black_falcon]

Honestly my 911 gets more attention than the 308, way more. People notice the Ferrari but give their best disinterested look, as if they don't want to give you the pleasure of an acknowledgement. With the 964, I'm constantly approached with compliments, teenage girls posing for facebook pictures, former owners stopping to chat, etc. It seems to bring out the best in people, while everyone seems to have you prejudged as a twat in the Ferrari.

[Geronimo '74]

I blip the throttle.
Most people who like the car, also like the sound.

[fintstone]

I just wave. My yellow '74 targa is such a chick magnet that young ladies in high-end MB, Lexus, and BMW will actually roll down their widows at stop lights and tell me how much they love my car. When I used to go to pick up my daughter at cheer practice in my '74, when she was in high school and in college, they (and other female athletes would crowd around, flirt..and ask for rides (don't know if they were serious), until my daughter came out and ran them off (told them I was her Dad).
My '89 Carrera seems to have little effect on women...but the 30-50 year old guys seem to love it and come up to me at the gas pump or are just standing there staring at it when I return to it after shopping. The tail and the iconic red color seem to be nostalgic to them (and all think it is a "turbo" and likely one of the fastest cars on the planet). Must be the 80's movie thing.

As more of a product of the '70s myself, I prefer the '74 and the associated chrome and stainless targa bar. Although it appears stock, it is also a hot rod...so I enjoy the more spirited driving as well.

My wife doesn't really seem to like either, but likes the '74 least...as a "smelly old car"...and gives me dirty looks when the young women catcall and compliment it. On the bright side, she doesn't really seem to mind me owning it/them as long as I don't waste too much money/time. It is a harmless hobby for a middle aged old fart.

[ckelly78z]

I think most people are so used to seeing nothing but pickup trucks and that similarly shaped taurus/camry/accord/malibu sedans, that when they see something of a different shape, and some flare, they appreciate it. I enjoy it when someone ackowledges my car, but I certainly don't drive it to seek attention like some do.
At a recent PCA club event, one of the guys brought his new Ferrari California convertible and I was talking to him about the car. I asked him how he could stand all the gawkers and pointers on the highway and in parking lots. He said it feeds his huge ego......not surprising !

[fintstone]

I think the different, basic crayon colors appeal to kids.

[dave 911]

I wave and smile usually....and yes, younger kids/teenagers seem to really like these cars.

Funny, though, I get even more attention when I drive the 62 VW than with the 911. People love the beetle, seems like everyone over 45 or so has a story about one. And chicks dig it .